German submarine U-544

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-544
Ordered5 June 1941
BuilderDeutsche Werft, Hamburg
Yard number365
Laid down8 July 1942
Launched17 February 1943
Commissioned5 May 1943
FateSunk on 16 January 1944 northwest of the Azores by Grumman TBF Avengers [1] from USS Guadalcanal
General characteristics
Class and typeType IXC/40 submarine
Displacement
  • 1,144 t (1,126 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,257 t (1,237 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 6.86 m (22 ft 6 in) o/a
  • 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)
Installed power
  • 4,400 PS (3,200 kW; 4,300 bhp) (diesels)
  • 1,000 PS (740 kW; 990 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 18.3 knots (33.9 km/h; 21.1 mph) surfaced
  • 7.3 knots (13.5 km/h; 8.4 mph) submerged
Range
  • 13,850 nmi (25,650 km; 15,940 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 63 nmi (117 km; 72 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth230 m (750 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 37 886
Commanders:
  • K.Kapt. Willy Mattke
  • 5 May 1943 – 16 January 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 9 November 1943 – 16 January 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-544 was a Type IXC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was laid down at the Deutsche Werft (yard) in Hamburg as yard number 365 on 8 July 1942, launched on 17 February 1943 and commissioned on 5 May with Korvettenkapitän Willy Mattke in command.

U-544 began her service career with training as part of the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 5 May 1943. She was reassigned to the 10th flotilla for operations on 1 November.

She carried out one patrol and did not sink any ships. She was a member of five wolfpacks.

She was sunk on 16 January 1944 northwest of the Azores by American aircraft.

  1. ^ Kemp 1997, pp. 164–165.